AMD Ryzen 7 170 vs Intel Core i9-12950HX Comparison

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i9-12950HX wins every single head-to-head benchmark in the database, 11 wins to 0 for the AMD Ryzen 7 170. If raw performance is the priority, the Intel part is the clear choice. Its PassMark multithread score of 31,673 compared to 20,760 for the AMD chip shows a 34.5% lead in heavily threaded workloads. The Intel chip also leads by 17.2% in single-thread performance, with scores of 3,778 versus 3,128. The Ryzen 7 170 is not without merit, though. It has a substantially lower TDP of 35 watts against Intel’s 55 watts, and it uses a more efficient 6 nm process compared to Intel’s 10 nm node. The AMD part should be considered for systems where power draw and thermal output are the primary constraints, not maximum performance. The Intel chip is the pick for users who need every bit of compute throughput, especially in multi-core workloads. The AMD chip is the pick for users who want a capable 8-core, 16-thread mobile processor that sips power relative to its rival. The data does not support any scenario where the AMD part wins on speed.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 7 170 is built on the Zen 3+ architecture, codenamed Rembrandt-R, and uses an 8-core, 16-thread configuration. It is fabricated by TSMC on a 6 nm process with a die size of 210 mm². The Intel Core i9-12950HX uses the Alder Lake architecture, codenamed Alder Lake-HX, and offers a 16-core, 24-thread configuration. Intel fabricates this chip on its own 10 nm process with a die size of 215 mm². The core count difference is significant: Intel has exactly twice as many cores, though only 8 additional threads, which indicates a hybrid core layout with some efficiency cores lacking hyper-threading.

Cache hierarchies also differ sharply. The AMD chip provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel chip offers 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3. That is nearly double the L3 cache on the Intel side. Memory support differs as well: AMD only supports DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration, while Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel. The AMD chip has a listed memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, while the Intel chip has no bandwidth figure recorded in the database. PCIe connectivity differs too: AMD provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU, while Intel provides Gen 5 with the same 20 lanes from the CPU.

Integrated graphics are another split. The AMD part uses Radeon 680M graphics, while Intel uses UHD Graphics 770. Both support ECC memory, which is unusual for mobile processors and worth noting for reliability-focused builds. The Intel chip has a launch MSRP of $590; the AMD chip has no recorded launch MSRP. The AMD chip is newer, with a release date of September 2025, while the Intel chip came out in May 2022. Both are marked as Active in production and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

Based strictly on the recorded benchmark results, the Intel Core i9-12950HX wins in every measured category. There is no workload in the database where the AMD Ryzen 7 170 comes out ahead. The biggest margin for Intel is in prime number finding, where it scores 135 versus 49, a 63.7% advantage. This suggests a major lead in integer-heavy, branch-predictor-sensitive tasks. Physics simulation also heavily favors Intel, with a score of 2,084 against 890, a 57.3% lead, indicating strong floating-point and multi-core scaling. Floating-point math shows Intel ahead by 44.1% (80,402 versus 44,979), and multithread performance is 34.5% better (31,673 versus 20,760).

The AMD chip’s only conceptual advantage comes from its power envelope. With a 35 watt TDP versus Intel’s 55 watt TDP, the AMD part will be easier to cool in thin-and-light chassis. The 6 nm process node also suggests better power efficiency per transistor, though the database does not provide efficiency metrics directly. For users prioritizing battery life or quiet operation, the AMD chip is the rational choice. For users prioritizing compute density, the Intel chip is the only option that wins in the recorded data. The Intel chip also holds a slight edge in single-thread performance, so even lightly threaded applications like web browsing or office work would see a measurable benefit, though the 17.2% delta is smaller than in multi-core tasks.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The Intel Core i9-12950HX is faster. It scores 31,673 in PassMark multithread, which is 34.5% higher than the AMD Ryzen 7 170’s score of 20,760.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 7 170 win any benchmark?

A: No. In the head-to-head benchmark set, the Intel Core i9-12950HX wins all 11 recorded tests. The AMD chip has zero wins.

Q: Which chip has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-12950HX has 16 cores and 24 threads. The AMD Ryzen 7 170 has 8 cores and 16 threads. Intel has double the cores and 8 more threads.

Q: What is the power draw difference?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 170 has a TDP of 35 watts. The Intel Core i9-12950HX has a TDP of 55 watts. The AMD chip draws 20 watts less at the rated TDP.

Q: Which chip supports more memory types?

A: The Intel Core i9-12950HX supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The AMD Ryzen 7 170 only supports DDR5. Both use a dual-channel memory bus.

Q: Are both chips unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. Neither the AMD Ryzen 7 170 nor the Intel Core i9-12950HX has an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i9-12950HX dominates the benchmark suite, but the magnitude of the wins varies significantly by workload. The largest gap is in PassMark find prime numbers. Intel scores 135, AMD scores 49, for a 63.7% Intel advantage. This is an extreme outlier and suggests the Intel architecture is far better suited to integer iteration and conditional branching. The second-largest gap is in PassMark physics, where Intel scores 2,084 against AMD’s 890, a 57.3% lead. Physics workloads often scale with core count and cache size, both of which favor Intel.

PassMark floating-point math shows Intel at 80,402 versus AMD’s 44,979, a 44.1% delta. This is a core-heavy workload, and Intel’s 16 cores versus 8 cores explains much of the gap. PassMark multithread shows a 34.5% lead for Intel (31,673 versus 20,760), which is a more moderate but still decisive margin. PassMark random string sorting gives Intel a 32.5% win (41,209 versus 27,804), indicating better memory subsystem performance or cache handling. PassMark integer math has Intel ahead by 27.2% (109,586 versus 79,738), and data compression shows a 27.7% Intel lead (367,930 versus 265,920).

The smallest margins are still significant. Data encryption gives Intel a 24.9% lead (21,395 versus 16,078), and extended instructions show an 18.3% gap (22,163 versus 18,107). Single-thread performance is the closest category, with Intel ahead by 17.2% (3,778 versus 3,128). Even in that test, Intel wins clearly. The overall average benchmark scores reflect this: AMD’s average is 43,689, while Intel’s is 42,487. Interestingly, the AMD chip has a higher average score despite losing every head-to-head test, which is due to the fact that the Intel chip’s benchmark set includes Cinebench scores that are not present for the AMD chip. The database lists Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 scores for Intel only, including a multi-core R23 score of 20,263 and a single-core R23 score of 1,885. These Cinebench results are not part of the head-to-head comparison but contribute to Intel’s overall profile.

The percentile ranking for both chips is identical at 88, meaning both sit in the same performance tier relative to all CPUs in the database. The nearest rivals for the AMD chip are other AMD parts: the Ryzen 7 PRO 7745 (average score 43,704, 0% delta), the Ryzen 7 260 (43,717, -0.1%), the Ryzen AI 9 465 (43,431, +0.6%), and the Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 (43,326, +0.8%). The nearest rivals for the Intel chip are mostly Intel desktop parts: the Core i9-12900K (42,335, +0.4%), the Core i9-12900KF (42,830, -0.8%), the Core i9-12900 (42,906, -1%), and the AMD Ryzen 5 7400 (42,055, +1%). These rival comparisons show that both chips are closely matched to their peers, but the head-to-head data makes it clear which of the two is faster.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on nearly every specification that matters for performance and platform compatibility. The AMD Ryzen 7 170 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i9-12950HX has 16 cores and 24 threads. The AMD base clock is 3.20 GHz with a boost clock of 4.75 GHz. The Intel base clock is lower at 2.30 GHz, but its boost clock is higher at 5.00 GHz. The TDP difference is notable: AMD is rated at 35 watts, Intel at 55 watts.

Process node and foundry also differ: AMD uses a 6 nm process from TSMC, while Intel uses a 10 nm process from its own fabs. Die sizes are close, with AMD at 210 mm² and Intel at 215 mm². Cache allocations are different across all levels: AMD has 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 16 MB L3 shared. Intel has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 30 MB L3 shared. Memory support is narrower on AMD (DDR5 only) versus Intel (DDR4 and DDR5). AMD lists a memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s; Intel has no such figure recorded. PCIe generations differ: AMD is Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes, Intel is Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes.

Integrated graphics are different models: Radeon 680M on AMD, UHD Graphics 770 on Intel. Both support ECC memory, and both are mobile-market parts. The sockets are incompatible: AMD uses Socket FP7, Intel uses BGA 1964. The release dates are far apart, with AMD launching in September 2025 and Intel in May 2022. The Intel part has a recorded launch MSRP of $590; the AMD part does not have one. Neither has an unlocked multiplier. The part numbers are 100-000000989 for AMD and SRLGG for Intel.